Biden Rejects Calls to Apologize for Praise of Segregationist
2020 rivals slam the former vice president, who spoke fondly of the “civility” of his relationship with a Mississippi senator who once called to “abolish the Negro race”.
Joe Biden has refused to apologize for remarks in which he praised the “civility” of an arch-segregationist Mississippi senator he used to collaborate with. He has called on the critics of his remarks, in particular 2020 rival Cory Booker, to make amends, instead. “Cory should apologize. He knows better,” Biden said. “I’ve not a racist bone in my body.”
The controversy began at a nightly fundraiser. Biden was lamenting the decline of comity in America’s political culture when his remarks took a dark detour. The former vice president voiced nostalgia for his ability to partner with Southern segregationist Democrats back when he joined the Senate in the 1970s. “At least there was some civility,” Biden said. “We didn’t agree on much of anything. We got things done. We got it finished.”
SOURCE ⇒ ROLLINGSTONE
